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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 271

"Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments." Psalm 119:73

Text: Genesis 34:1-31

TAKEN IN!

Shechem may have been a brute when he raped Dinah (Perhaps she was the only person he had raped). But the deceit of the brothers of Dinah was as loathsome. The explanation of their religious beliefs and practices were nothing more than bait! Hamor and Shechem had believed that Jacob and his sons were honourable people! They must have thought that they were good people because they took their religion so seriously!

“And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because
he delighted in Jacob’s daughter. He was more honourable
than all the household of his father.”
GENESIS 34:18-19

Shechem was willing to comply! He was prepared to be circumcised, if that meant he could marry Dinah. He did not mind embracing the religion of Jacob if that would aid and confirm his request for her hand in marriage. Hamor and Shechem had been taken in without realizing it!


SHARING THEIR “NEW-FOUND FAITH”

Hamor and Shechem did not mind embracing the faith of Jacob. Surely the ritual of circumcision was bearable. There would be some pain but that would pass! With almost missionary zeal, Hamor and Shechem went out to share what they had heard from the sons of Jacob.

“And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city,
and spoke with the men of their city, saying,
‘These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell
in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is
large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives,
and let us give them our daughters.
Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us,
to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised
as they are circumcised.
Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal
of theirs be ours?
Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.’
And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor
and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised,
all who went out of the gate of his city.”
GENESIS 34:20-24

Hamor and Shechem had believed the words of the sons of Jacob! They figured out that in the long run, when they had become “one people” they would stand to gain in every sense of the word. The only thing that was required of them was to undergo the rite of circumcision – and that seemed a very small price to pay! Enthused by the example before them, the men of Shechem allowed themselves to be circumcised!